San Antonio Library Book Returned After 82 Years Highlights Decades of Broken Accountability

In an era when government accountability seems increasingly elusive, a seemingly heartwarming story out of San Antonio reveals a deeper problem: the erosion of responsibility in public institutions. A library book originally borrowed in 1943 was just returned after nearly 82 years, accompanied by a note lamenting that “Grandma won’t be able to pay for it anymore.” But what this curious case truly illustrates is how decades of neglect and poor policy decisions have allowed public resources to be taken for granted—and wasted. When Did Accountability Become Optional? The book, titled Your Child, His Family, and Friends, was loaned out...